Caption: Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Staphylococcus aureus colony. Gram-positive, MRSA strain (resistant to all penicillin-like antibiotics), coccus prokaryote (dividing); causes food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome and skin and wound infections such as scalded skin syndrome, scarlet fever, erysipelas and impetigo. This methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is important today in causing infections, especially in hospitals. MRSA can also cause illness in persons outside of hospitals and healthcare facilities. MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedure are known as CA-MRSA (Community associated-MRSA) infections. CA-MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. Magnification: x500 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.